Acorn Creek Trail (Silverthorne)

About Acorn Creek Trail

A quiet trail on the east side of the Blue River valley about 10 miles north of Silverthorne, reached from Highway 9 by Ute Park Road and a short forest road to the trailhead. It climbs through sagebrush meadows and aspen groves toward the Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness boundary, about 1.7 miles in, with the whole Gore Range lined up across the valley to the west. It is one of the first trails in Summit County to lose its snow, and in early June the open slopes fill with arrowleaf balsamroot and lupine. For photography, come early, when the Gore catches the first light, and get low so the blooms fill the foreground with the peaks behind them. The aspens make it a good fall hike too, and with no bikes or motor vehicles allowed, it stays quiet.